Can anyone with experience provide me with the do's and don'ts of engine detailing / washing?

Cheers and safe driving.

 

I put aluminum foil on all the things i think shouldnt' get wet like teh fuse box, alternatior, intake, Etc. then i spray stp cleaner/degreaser on everything i can get at adn let it sit for a few minutes, then i reapply the cleaner/degreaser for another few minutes. then i rinse it off with a gentle stream of water. don't use a jet stream because it can force water into connectors and other parts it shouldn't be in. Remember the engine gets wet in rain, etc, but more by splashing, not a direct hard spray. Then after that i remove all the foil and turn the car on and let the engine warm up to dry out the compartment. Later when it cools down i use armorall and liberally spray on most of the hoses,etc but be careful to avoid the belt. let it sit for a few, wipe it down to spread the armorall and remove excess adn thats all to it.

Bobby

 

I use Simple Green. I recommend you wrap Saran Wrap around the intake and the electrical connections just to be on the safe side. Make sure the oil dipstick is pushed all the way in too. Hose down the engine compartment (don't spray water too hard) to remove excess dirt, spray on the Simple Green, let it sit for a couple of minutes and then hose it down to rinse out the Simple Green. I usually follow it up with a complete car wash to make sure the Simple Green is completely gone since it may have run off to the bumpers, etc.

Maintenance is very easy. The engine compartment really doesn't get that dirty. I just wipe it down with a wet terry towel after I wash my car (which I try to do at least every other weekend.)

Cheers,

.:programmatore:.

Nice and clean!

 

Wow!! You could eat your dinner off that engine!! very impressive.

 

A little mineral spirits and some elbow grease will get the bottom clean as a whistle. You can also use metal polish to get the mufflers shined up as well.

 

Good Photoshop job on the last pic. Anyone else noticed that the car seems to hover without jack stands or a lift? Good one!

 

Hey Orient,

What did you use to get that gunk off the bottom of the engine and how did you do it.

Bobby

 

I thought the same thing. Very cool!

 

liquid "Flubber" in the gas tank.......

 

you mean the yellow wax crap? its called cosmoline, its a chemical used in shipping to prevent oxidization by the sea salt. and its a royal pain in the ***.

 

if you drive in salt in the winter, im guessing it is better to just leave the stuff on???

Bobby

 

Wow, very nice photo's. I have always wondered what's the best and safest way to get the car up so that I can clean the bottom. Also, I do not know if some of the chemical cleaning agents mentioned are available in Canada. Would be nice to hear from those in Canada as to which products they use.

Very nice shots and thanks guys.
Cheers and safe driving.

 

Check out Griot's engine cleaner. It is really good.
LINK HERE
Oh, and wash the engine first, then the car.

 

OrientExpress, that is a nice clean engine.

 

On the underside, cosmoline that has been on forever (baked, etc) is just a bitch......tried all sorts of stuff and lots of wire-toothbrush-elbo-grease.

Anyone try one of those steam cleaners?